Thirsk Primitive Methodists (1837)

He was succeeded in 1836 by Mr W. Lister, and during the three years of his superintendency, the circuit entered on a course of missionary labours which proved eminently successful. They were, however, confined to the limits of the circuit, and the adjoining districts. At the September Quarterly meeting of 1836, Thirsk, with twenty -seven members, was detached from the home part of the circuit and made the centre of missionary efforts. Mr Joseph Spoor was appointed to this scene of labour and entered upon it with energy and zeal. Open-air services attracted persons in the town to the regular worship in the chapel, and an improvement in the congregation and society was the happy result. In the spring of 1887, a number of conversions took place, and the chapel became crowded to excess. Mr Spoor then preached regularly at seven other places, and his little mission more than supported him and all other expenses. It was soon afterwards extended, which was followed by happy effects. In the circuit report for 1838 it is said, "In our Thirsk and Bedale Mission we have a great work in many places and an ingathering of precious souls."

Encouraged by the success of Thirsk Mission, and the prosperity of the home part, the circuit's September Quarterly Meeting of 1837, decided to commence another mission at Borough Bridge, which in the report for 1838, was said to be advancing encouragingly. The old places in the circuit also prospered greatly. The report says, "In the home part we have a general revival going on; the congregations at most of the places, are overflowing, sinners arc being converted, and practical and experimental religion is more evident in the societies." The increase of members for the whole circuit was 250; a large one for a thinly populated agricultural district. The following year was also one of prosperity, the increase of members being 130. During the three years of Mr Lister's superintendency of this circuit, the travelling preachers were doubled in number, having risen from four to eight, twenty-eight new societies were formed, and the members were nearly doubled, having increased from 450 to 860..